Needle-clamp for sewing-machines



(No Model.)

G. P. BOSTIAN.

NEEDLE CLAMP FOR SEWING MACHINES.

Patented Jan. 15, 1889.

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CHARLES P. BOSTIAN, OF MILTON, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN F. MEOKLY, OF IVATSONTOIVN, PENNSYLVANIA.

NEEDLE-CLAMP FOR SEWING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 396,350, dated January 15, 1889.

Application filed February 24, 1888. Serial No. 265,179. (No model.)

To all whom it may cwww'w general conformation; but in order to show Be it known that I, CHARLES P. BOsTIAN, my invention as applicable to any needle-bar a citizen of the United States of America, re- I have shown the lower part detachable from siding at Milton, in the county of Northumthe upper, as at 1,where the clamping portion berland and State of Pennsylvania, have in is joined to the needle-bar by means of a vented a new and useful Sewing-Machine threaded stem let into a threaded socket in NeedleOla1np, of which the following is a the stem of the needle bar. specification. Should the needle-clamp be made for a M y invention has relation to improvements specific machine, it may be formed with a sin- 10 in means for holding a sewing-machine neegle integral needle-bar. The lower part of the die in the n eedle-bar of the machine; and the needle-bar is cut away to about its diameter object is to provide a needle-clamp which will and for such distance as may be required to admit the needle and then clamp it with such form one part of the needle-seat, as at 2. In. rigidity and firmness as to withstand all the the face of the needle-seat is formed a verti- I 5 strain to which the needle may be subjected cal groove, 3, made deep enough to embrace in the operation of sewing. At the same about one-half of the shank of the needle, and time, by the same associated mechanism, I at the upper end of the vertical groove is a provide a needleclamp very easily and condepression, in which one end of a spring, 4, is veniently manipulated both for inserting and rigidly secured, the free end of the spring ex- 20 releasing the needle. tending downward and arranged to press on My improved needle-clamp is equally adaptthe needle-holding bar and keep it in en gageed to one or two needles, as demonstrated in ment with the notch of the needle. the drawings, and as hereinafter stated. Across the face of the needle-seat isa groove,

My invention consists in the novel con- 5, in which the needle-holding bar rests. This 2 5 struction of parts and their combination, as groove is made deep enough to give theneedlewill be hereinafter fully specified, and speholding baralimited backward movement,in cially as the same is particularly pointed out order that the needle may be passed in its and distinctly claimed. seat to the notch in its shank and then be en- I have fully illustrated my improvements gaged and held by the holding-bar. On one 30 in the accompanying drawings, forming a part edge of the needle-seat, at the lower part, is

of this specification, wherein formed a hollow projection, G, in which the Figure 1 is a view of the needle-bar, showstem of the locking-bar is fitted; and on the ing my improvements and a needle held in side opposite to the needle-seat are formed the clamp. Fig. 2 is a view showing the bearing-lugs 7, perforated to receive the arm 3 5 clamping-plate thrown open and disclosing of the holding-bar, which constitutes the the interior construction. Fig. 3 is a View of hinge-bar or pin tle which holds the clampingthe lower part of the needle-bar. Fig. at is a plate to the needle-bar. similar view of the clamping-plate. Fig. 5 is B designates the needle-clamping plate.

a view of the hinge and needleholding bar. This consists of a metal plate adapted to set 40 Fig. 6 is a view of the locking-bar. Fig. 7 is with its inner face over the needle-seat made a side view showing the thread-cutter. Fig. on the face of the other partof the mechanism,

8 is a transverse sectional view taken on the and is formed with vertical groove 8, to take line a: x of 'Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a view showing the needle, the groove being a counterpart of the needle-clamp adapted to hold two neethe vertical groove in the needle-seat of the 45 dles; and Fig. 10 is a view of the needle in other part. 011 one edge of the clampingside elevation; plate is formed a projection or knuckle, 9,

The same parts appearing in the different having a hole through it lengthwise to take figures are designated by the like notations, the pintle or hinge-bar and hold the parts in and reference being had thereto, A designates pivotal connection. The opposite side of the 50 the needle-bar. This may be of the usual clamping-plate is cut away, as at 10, to fit 10o about the projection 6 on the other part of the device, and at the lower end projects a small lug, 11, having a groove in it on its inside, to serve as a seat for the stem of the locking-bar and keep the parts together in locked position in connection with the other or plate end of the locking-bar.

In Fig. 5 of the drawings I have illustrated the needle-holding bar, which consists of a metal rod of the requisite dimensions and formed of two parts struck at about right angles to each other. One of these parts, as at 12, constitutes the pin which holds the parts hinged together, and the other, as 13, rests across the face of the clamps between the parts and in the grooves 5, and constitutes the needle-holding device by lodging in the notch or recess in the shank of the needle.

In Fig. 6 of the drawings is shown the locking bar or pin. This consists of a stem, 14, and a flat part, 15, struck at right angles to the stem. The stem is formed slightly bent and with an enlarged portion midway of its length, so as to have a cam function and hold the flat part 15 in a seat, 16, in the outer face of the clamp or against it, and press the lower end into the groove in the face of the lug l1.

As heretofore stated, my improved needleclamp may be used for holding two needles, and I have shown in Fig. 10 such construction, the only change from the ordinary construction being that two needle-grooves are made in the faces of the clamping-plates, substantially as shown.

At the lower edge of the needle-bar is secured a thread-cutter, 17, which consists of a small steel blade secured to one side of the needle-bar and having its blade end, 18, resting free from the bar, so as to permit a thread to be inserted between it and severed by pulling down on the edge of the cutter.

My needle-clamp is utilized or manipulated as follows: To insert a needle or needles, all that is necessary is to turn the locking-bar with its fiat part back, which because of the stem being bent, so that the projecting enC will be loosened on the small lug of the clamping-plate, unclamps the parts and permits the spring to open them slightly and far enough to permit the needle to be slid into its seat. Should the needle stick when run in as far as the needle-holding bar, that element can be pressed back by the finger,

and then the needle will pass by it until the notch is engaged by the bar. Then the lockin g-bar is turned with its flat part down on the face of the clamp, and the needle is clamped and in operative position. To release the needle, the locking-bar is turned back, the needle-holding bar pressed back free from its engagement with the notch of the needle, when the needle will drop out or may be easily removed.

Should the parts want cleaning on the illside, they may be thrown apart on their hinge by turning back the lockingbar, lifting it from its connection, and the parts are free to be opened. I have made a groove, 19, in the hinged part, as shown, to give room to lift the locking-bar.

lVhat I claim is 1. A sewing-machine needle-clamp consisting of two parts formed with a needle-groove in each of their inner faces, a hinge-pin to hold the parts together, said hinge-pin having its upper part extended across and be tween the inner faces of the clamp and constituting the needle-holding bar, a spring to hold the needle-holding bar in engagement with the needle, and a locking-pin to lock the parts together, substantially as described.

2. A sewing-machine needle-clamp consisting of two parts formed with a needle-groove in each of their inner faces and each having a transverse groove, 5, across its face, a hingepin to hinge the parts together, said hingepin having its upper part extended across and between the parts and arranged in the transverse grooves 5, a spring, 4, fixed in the face of one of the parts to throw the arm of the hinge-pin in engagement with a needle, and a locking-pin, 14, having an angular part, 15, to lock the parts together, substantially as described.

3. A sewing-machine needle-clamp consisting of two parts hinged together and formed with a needle-groove in each of their inner faces, and a locking-pin projected through the free edges of the parts, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

- CHARLES I. BOSTIAN.

Attest:

WARD IIOUSEL, JOHN F. MEoKLY. 

